This one I not only drove, but unfortunately owned.
A 1987 Maserati Biturbo! What a beautiful car wrapped on top of the biggest pile of %*#@)% running gear and engine!
I bought it with 11k miles on it, thinking I stole it as the first owner took a big depreciation hit. In retrospect, he probably hoped I'd give him 20cents on the dollar for it!
The car was all show and absolutely no go. After about 1000 miles, going onto the freeway, timing belt snaps and destroys the engine. After breaking down the engine, it seems the factory forgot to drill 2 holes in the head gasket for oil returns. Bearings frooze, belt snaps, 2 valves go through the pistons...
After complete rebuild, with about 14k miles on the car, the water pump decides to sieze. This shears off a few teeth on the timing belt. Guess what happens then? Yep, valves into the pistons again!
Ok, long story short, engine rebuilt again and driven to about 15,500 miles when it starts accelerating very slowly. Give it the gas and it acts as if it's going up a steep hill. What now you ask? Automatic transmission slippage!
The trans would work ok when cold, so one morning I took it down to a McDonalds close to a Nissan dealership. I turned the car off, had some breakfast and waited for it to get completely cool. I then cranked her up, pulled into Mr Nissan's lot and traded for a nice 1990 300ZX twin turbo! Boy they thought it was pretty car too! End of story.
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